Residents of Gidan Mangoro, Karu Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have expressed appreciation as corps medical personnel from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) brought free healthcare services to their doorstep.
The outreach, held at the Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School in Gidan Mangoro, under the NYSC’s Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD), provided locals with access to medical consultations, treatments, and essential drugs at no cost.
The second quarter edition of the HIRD programme was flagged off by the director-general of the NYSC, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu on Wednesday.
Addressing the gathering, General Nafiu, who was represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr Ahmed Wada Ikaka, stressed the essence of the programme and reaffirmed the scheme’s commitment to extending healthcare to underserved communities.
“The HIRD programme was inaugurated in 2014 with the aim of bringing quality healthcare to the grassroots. It was born out of NYSC management’s desire to prioritise the total well-being of rural dwellers by deploying highly qualified medical corps members to offer free medical attention.”
He also explained that the initiative primarily leverages the expertise of corps doctors, pharmacists, nurses, lab scientists, physiotherapists, dentists, and other health professionals in the service year to attend to various health needs of the rural populace.
He said the programme has already benefited around four million Nigerians through sensitisation, disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. It also provides critical health data to governments and agencies for planning and referral purposes, especially for complex cases that require advanced care.
General Nafiu commended both governmental and non-governmental stakeholders for their continued support of the scheme, while urging residents to seize the opportunity to check their health status and access the free services available.
“To our patriotic corps members, your selfless sacrifice is deeply appreciated. I remain ever proud of your incalculable contributions to the socio-economic development of our nation,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the traditional head of Gidan Mangoro, Dakaci Musa Magaji, commended NYSC for taking the outreach to their doorstep.
He urged the community members to come out and benefit from the gesture.
“I am very happy with this programme.
The government has come here a few times, but nothing like this. This NYSC programme is different. It is at our doorstep. God bless them.”
The traditional ruler further said that while there is a health hospital in Gidan Mangoro, it often struggles to meet the needs of the growing population.
He identified common ailments facing the community like malaria, typhoid, and meningitis, saying that many residents still lack consistent medical access.
He also lauded the corps members for diagnosing illnesses and engaging in health education, enlightening the people on hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention.
